1. Steele (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 1
Last game: Idle
The reason: You’ll notice that our Top 10 is unchanged from last week thanks to half of the teams being on byes, including Steele, and the rest pretty much doing what they were expected to. The Knights, well-rested, travel to Corpus to begin 28-5A play.
Up next: at Corpus Christi King

2. Smithson Valley (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 2
Last game: Idle
The reason: Like Steele, the Rangers will be fresh. Another positive: QB Garrett Smith, who was injured in SV’s last game, is listed on top of the Rangers’ depth chart. (Thank you, Larry Hill, for your extensive, college-like media packets).
Up next: at San Marcos

3. Brandeis (5-1, 4-0)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Defeated Taft 51-14
The reason: The Broncos started district play with a couple of close calls against Warren and O’Connor. Since then, they have outscored opponents 94-21.
Up next: vs. Clark

4. Madison (4-2, 2-0)
Last ranking: No. 4
Last game: Defeated No. 8 Roosevelt 42-21
The reason: The Mavs like to win in style (and no, we’re not talking about Marquis Warford kick return TD that was called back last week). In their four wins, they average 46.5 points per game. And with the passing game finding its groove under first-year QB Cody Ennis, Madison only looks to be getting better.
Up next: vs. No. 5 Reagan

5. Reagan (4-1, 1-0)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated Lee 47-7
The reason: The Rattlers looked rejuvenated after a bye week by thrashing the Volunteers. It also helps that QB Kyle Keller appears to be healthy again after attempting 15 passes last week–just in time for a showdown with Madison.
Next up: vs. No. 4 Madison

Throw that ball, Zach Galindo! Photo: Darren Abate/Special

6. O’Connor (4-2, 2-1)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Defeated Marshall 49-14
The reason: Like Madison, O’Connor is starting to see its passing game come along. RB Tre Johnson has been dominant from the start, but now QB Zach Galindo is heating up after throwing for six TDs last week–in the first half.
Next up: vs. Holmes

7. Judson (3-2)
Last ranking: No. 7
Last game: Idle
The reason: The Rockets don’t need much excuse to get hyped for the Hammer Bowl. This time, they had an extra week to think about it. Friday night at Rutledge should be fun.
Up next: vs. No. 10 Wagner

8. Roosevelt (4-2, 1-1)
Last ranking: No. 8
Last game: Lost to No. 4 Madison 42-21
The reason: The only team in the Top 10 to lose last week, but we couldn’t be too harsh on the Rough Riders. They stay at No. 8 because they lost to a quality Top 4 team, and the teams below them have had their own ups and downs.
Up next: vs. MacArthur

9. East Central (3-2)
Last ranking: No. 9
Last game: Idle
The reason: The Hornets are another team that seem primed to benefit from the week off with RB Chris Armstrong nursing a groin injury and QB Christian Jones shaking off a hamstring issue.
Up next: at Corpus Christi Carroll

10. Wagner (3-2)
Last ranking: No. 10
Last game: Idle
The reason: The T-birds had t a lot of time to think about their fourth-quarter collapse against Monterrey Tech. But they also had all that time to get ready for the Hammer Bowl, which they won last season.
Up next: vs. No. 7 Judson

1. Brennan (6-0, 2-0)
Last ranking: No. 1
Last game: Defeated Brackenridge 42-21
The reason: So maybe 28-4A won’t be a walk in the park for Brennan after all. The Bears actually trailed 14-7 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter before blowing it open. A surprising stat: Brennan has allowed more points (38) in two 28-4A games than it did in four non-district games against 5A opponents (34).
Up next: vs. Burbank

2. Alamo Heights (4-1, 2-0)
Last ranking: No. 2
Last game: Defeated Seguin 39-32
The reason: A lot of folks were surprised with how well Seguin hung with the Mules…but not us. The Matadors were one of our bubble teams in this space last week. Chalk it up as a quality win for Alamo Heights who got standout performances from Kalen Brockwell and a hobbled Byron Proctor.
Up next: vs. Kyle Lehman

3. Kerrville Tivy (3-2, 2-0)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Defeated Hays 31-10
The reason: That’s the Kerrville Tivy we’ve come to know and expect. The Antlers handed previously undefeated Hays its first loss, and now look like a top contender for the district title. A win this week would confirm that opinion…
Up next: at No. 4 Boerne Champion

4. Boerne Champion (3-2, 1-1)
Last ranking: No. 4
Last game: Defeated Kyle Lehman 16-7
The reason: The Chargers proved they could win an ugly one with passing machine Kyle Poeske getting it done on the ground with two rushing TDs. This week, they’ll try to keep pace with Heights and Tivy in the district race.
Up next: vs. No. 3 Kerrville Tivy

5. Antonian (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated Poteet 48-12
The reason: The Apaches finish their non-district slate in impressive fashion. And their district opponents would be hard-pressed to slow them down. The season finale against Austin St. Michael’s will be their biggest challenge.
Up next: Corpus Christi John Paul II

6. Pleasanton (6-0)
Last ranking: No. 7
Last game: Defeated Crystal City 40-18
The reason: The Eagles have been as dominant as any team, outscoring opponents 248-87. And QB Luke Walters’ season stat line is as pretty as it gets: 96-160, 1,601 yards, 23 TDs, 1 INT. District play begins this week.
Up next: at La Vernia

7. Devine (4-1)
Last ranking: No. 8
Last game: Idle
The reason: The Warhorses had a week to rest up after a tough loss to Antonian and to prepare for district play. Plus, getting RB Jordan Fraga–the area’s leading rusher–some time off can only do Devine good.
Up next: vs. Crystal City

Hector Villegas and Floresville dive into the Top 10. Photo: Kin Man Hui/Express-News

8. Navarro (4-1)
Last ranking: No. 10
Last game: Idle
The reason: The Panthers enjoyed the biggest jump in the rankings, and didn’t even play a game. We’ll see if they can maintain it with a tough district opener on Friday.
Up next: vs. Boerne

9. Floresville(4-1, 2-0)
Last ranking: No. 10
Last game: Defeated No. 6 Harlandale 24-21
The reason: The Tigers crack the Top 10 for the first time after a dramatic last-minute win over previously undefeated Harlandale. Floresville looks legit with two capable RBs and a defense that largely limited the high-powered Indians.
Up next: vs. Memorial

10. Harlandale (4-1, 1-1)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Lost to Floresville 24-21
The reason: Had Floresville not scored with 23 seconds left, we could easily be talking about how impressive the Indians start has been. Instead, they take a bit of a hit, but still seem like a sure-fire playoff team.
Up next: at Kennedy